Rationing oxygen use during total intravenous anaesthesia: a proportionate response?

Environmental impact of medical oxygen production in Australia. Comment on Br J Anaesth 2020; 125: 773–8

“…EditordWe read with interest last year's article by Zhong and colleagues 1 on the environmental and economic impact of using increased fresh gas flow (FGF) to reduce carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) absorbent consumption in the absence of inhalation anaesthetics, and the subsequent correspondence regarding the article, particularly calls to conserve O 2 during the current COVID-19 crisis 2,3. The study by Zhong and colleagues showed that running O 2 at 6 vs 1 L min À1 would save ~AUD $1.50 per hour by essentially bypassing the CO 2 absorber, but would not have any material effect upon CO 2 emissions.…”